Spotted lanternflies gather on grapevines
This undated video from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture shows adult spotted lanternflies on grapevines in Berks County.
PROVIDED BY THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, PROVIDED BY THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Although summer is officially ending, the Delaware area still has problems with invasive pests, particularly the spotted lanternfly.
Here’s everything you need to know about the spotted lanternfly in Delaware, as well as how to control and report it.
What is the Spotted Lanternfly?
Spotted lanternflies are no strangers to the Delaware area. The invasive pests are native to Asian countries such as China, Vietnam and India and were first discovered in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014.
Spotted lanternfly nymphs typically range from 1.25 to 1.5 inches (3.2 to 1.3 cm) in size with a white-spotted black body that turns red as it ages. Adults are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and feed on woody and non-woody plants, including trees and a wide variety of plant species.
Although their lifespan is only about a year, these pests reproduce quickly and in large numbers. According to PestWorld, the Spotted Lanternfly mostly lays its eggs on flat surfaces and can usually lay an average of 30 to 50 eggs at a time. A pregnant female Spotted Lanternfly can lay up to 200 eggs before the peak season ends.
Egg masses of the spotted lanternfly are harder to spot but may be more difficult to destroy. They usually take on a light brown hue that can easily blend into tree bark or patches of dirt that can be up to 1-2 inches wide.
Although they do not pose a direct threat to humans, they endanger many important agricultural products and other crops. Large numbers of the spotted lanternflies can strip entire crops or trees of their resources and leave residues that prevent the regrowth of crops such as apples, cherries, grapes, peaches and trees such as walnut, pine, oak and willow.
The Delaware Department of Agriculture has described the spotted lanternfly as “harmful to Delaware’s agriculture, environment and residential areas.”
The Tree of Heaven
The tree of heaven, a misleadingly named invasive plant commonly found on the east coast of the United States, appears to be the preferred habitat of the spotted lanternfly. Experts advise removing these types of trees to eradicate the local lanternfly population at its source.
The first step in removing this species is to make sure it is properly identified, as it can easily be confused with native trees such as sumac or black walnut.
Trees of heaven usually grow in groups and tolerate poor soil quality very well. According to the Delaware Department of Agriculture, this tree is often found in industrial areas, along highways and railroad lines, and in uncultivated or vacant lots. They have gray bark with vertical lines and leaflets that produce long, green-white flowers in the spring.
Removing the female trees, which can be identified by their winged seed pods, eliminates them as a potential food source for the spotted lanternfly. However, experts recommend planting a male tree of heaven that does not bear seeds as a “trap tree.” When treated with insecticides, these trap trees can attract and kill populations of the spotted lanternfly that attempt to inhabit them.
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Removing tree of heaven can be a serious undertaking, as their roots have been reported to grow over 25 feet into the soil and will quickly re-proliferate even if the parent tree is killed. To ensure a tree is killed, consult an arborist for best practices, which may include treating the tree with herbicides.
Getting rid of spotted lanternflies
The Delaware Department of Agriculture has placed the entire state under quarantine because of the invasive species since July 2022. The department is urging residents to kill and report the lanternfly immediately so the state’s pest control specialists can track its spread.
Although lanternflies have wings, they can only fly short distances and mainly jump or run, making them a fairly easy target to squash on your next walk.
According to the Department of Agriculture, the late summer months are the best time to systematically apply insecticides to reduce the lanternfly population before it lays eggs. Look for pesticides or insecticides specifically designed for leafhoppers or leafhoppers.
If you come across an egg mass, the best method to remove it is to scrape the mass from the surface and properly destroy it. The Delaware Farm Bureau recommends scraping the egg masses into a bag of rubbing alcohol and disposing of them to prevent future hatching.
If a tree is infected, experts also recommend strapping the tree to prevent the spread of the disease. This can be done by wrapping the tree trunk with a material such as plastic, tape, butcher paper, or another insulating material.
Another way to prevent the infestation from spreading in your area is to consult a pest specialist who is knowledgeable about treating the spotted lanternfly. The Delaware Department of Agriculture maintains an online catalog of licensed ornamental and lawn pesticide companies in various areas that you can browse.
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The department is also asking residents to submit reports of lanternfly spread, especially around Dover Air Force Base and in Sussex County, so experts can figure out how these insects are moving. These reports can be submitted online, emailed to [email protected] or posted on social media using the hashtag #HitchHikerBug. Be sure to include your location, basic contact information and a photo.
Molly McVety covers community and environmental issues in Delaware. You can reach her at [email protected]Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.
